Run for the Red competitors won't stop for terrorists

Here's a message to would-be terrorists from the running community in the Poconos: You're not going to stop us. Not here, not now, not ever.

HOWARD FRANK

Here's a message to would-be terrorists from the running community in the Poconos: You're not going to stop us. Not here, not now, not ever.

Run for the Red Marathon organizers and local runners will not be deterred from the May 19 race in light of Monday's bombings at the Boston Marathon.

Run for the Red Race Director Bob Werts was resolute Tuesday when asked if he considered canceling the event, which raises money for the American Red Cross of the Poconos and also includes a marathon relay and a 5K run.

"Backing down from these people would only give them joy and comfort. The Pocono Run for the Red Marathon is not going to do that. We are not going to give them that satisfaction," he said.

Not that Werts is oblivious to the impact of the Boston bombings.

He's already getting advisories regarding the bombing from the Pennsylvania State Police, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the FBI in his day job as program manager of the Northeast Pennsylvania Regional Counterterrorism Task Force.

Werts and other race organizers will meet with law enforcement early next week to review security measures and what, if any, changes might be made.

But Werts doubts there will be a major overhaul.

"I can tell you right now there are not going to be many changes. We've always been concerned with the safety of our runners and spectators," he said.

Last year, 985 finished the marathon, 220 people ran the marathon relay and 697 people participated in the 5K. More are expected this year.

Whether the bombing will affect race attendance remains to be seen, but runners interviewed left no room for doubt.

"Nothing will deter me from doing Run for the Red," said Vietnam veteran Dennis Keesler, 65, of Paradise Township.

Smithfield Township marathoner Gina Fish, 45, felt the same way.

"We work too hard to let anyone think they can make us stumble and fall. Running is therapy. It cleanses the mind body and soul. The best medicine for such a horrific act of cowardice. Runners will run, and run harder," she said.

The events in Boston Monday had special meaning for Linda Yeager, 41, marathoner and president of the Pocono Area Running Club. She is a 9/11 survivor.

"It instantly brought back sadness for the people involved because they'll never forget the experience," she said. "Being in the city that day is such an amazing experience. Now, instead of being a joyous memory, there will always be that overcast of what happened."

Yet she still plans to compete in the Run for the Red Marathon Relay with her husband, Greg.

"Would it ever stop me from running the race? No. Running is part of our life. It wouldn't stop us from being part of Run for the Red or any other race," she said.

Some runners had more than racing in mind.

"We are all affected by the tragedy, but it will not affect me being a spectator or runner this year," said Dana Perich of Tannersville. "The Run for the Red is good for our community, for the American Red Cross. So although it's horrible what happened, I will be out there. We need to support the Red Cross and our community. The money stays here. We need to support it."

Werts hopes the bombings will actually bring more people out for the race.

"I hope the community comes out — really comes out — that they will say we will not tolerate these events and come out and support the race," he said.